Life preserver



'Aug. 15, 1944. v H. B. WHITE LIFE PRESERVER Original Filed Match 2'7, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Inventor fihepyfi M075 Aug. .15, 1944; H, B, WH E 2,355,614

LIFE PRESERVER Original Filed March 27, 1943 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Inventor Patented Aug. 15, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIFE IRE-SERVER Harry. B. White, Wilmington, N. C.

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in life preservers, the same being a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 480,821, filed March 27, 1943, for Life saving apparatus.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a convenient means for supporting life preservers from the shoulders of the wearer with the assistance of foot stirrups, to the end that it is practically impossible for the life preserver to become detached from the wearer's body.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved life preserver showing the body attaching means.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the preserver showing the shoulder straps and foot stirrups.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-6 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes a life preserver annulus. In carrying out the present invention, shoulder straps generally referred to by numeral 6 are provided in cooperation with foot stirrups generally referred to by numeral 1.

The shoulder straps 6 each consists of a for- 7 ward section 8 and a rearward section 9, each.

being bifurcated at its annulus attaching end to provide legs l0 which are attached to eyes II on 5 the annulus 5. The remaining end of the section 9 has openings l2 through which the prong l3 of abuckle 14 on the complementary end of the section 8 is disposable. Obviously, this shoulder strap construction will be not only strong, but durable and capable of being readily adjusted.

The foot stirrups each consists of an elongated strap [5, preferably endless and trained over the annulus 5 as shown in Figure 1. The lower portions of the flights of the endless strap l5 are brought together and secured as by riveting as at I6, thus defining a stirrup structure [1 which is completed by the provision of a plate l8 disposed within the stirrup loop and preferably secured thereto by a rivet or rivets 19.

Leg encircling straps 20 having buckles are provided on the stirrups l5 and preferably Welded thereto as at 25 to prevent the leg from becoming displaced from the stirrup structure.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous Changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A life saving apparatus comprising a floatable annulus, and foot stirrups depending from the annulus, each of said foot stirrups consisting of an endless strap disposed over the annulus and having its lower portion constricted to define a foot receiving loop.

2. A life saving apparatus comprising a floatable annulus, and foot stirrups depending from the annulus, each of said foot stirrups comprisinvention, what is ing an endless strap disposed over the annulus and having its lower portion constricted to define a foot receiving loop, and leg straps on said endless straps above said constricted lower portions.

3. A life saving apparatus comprising a floatable annulus, foot stirrups depending from the annulus, each of said foot stirrups comprising an endless strap disposed over the annulus and having its lower portion constricted to define a foot receiving loop, and rigid foot supporting plates in said loops riveted thereto.

HARRY B. WHITE. 

